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My Clothes Take so Long to Dry--But Why?

By Gary Sloan

Home Inspector with Discovery Inspections, LLC

April 06, 2008 03:02 AM

Everyone,

As a seasoned home inspector we routinely observe this type of arrangement with dryer vent hoses that are severely crimped. This compromises the air flow significantly and lengthens the operating time required to dry clothes properly. Be sure to check yours for proper air flow.

Here is another example of a dryer exhaust vent that is contributing to not only lengthy dryer cycles, but it's also a potential fire hazard because lint is quite flammable (just ask the Boy Scouts...they use it for starting campfires). The photo was taken for one of our customers who requested a builder warranty inspection (first year of new construction). The lint accumulations happened in 11 months!!! Check yours!

Here's a an interesting photo taken during a new construction inspection. What was forgotten you ask?

The dryer vent connection!

Hope you have found something useful here.

Gary Sloan, CMI

Advantage Inspection Peachtree

Comments(12)

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Teri Deane

RE/MAX 100 - Columbia, MD

Realtor, ABR, CRS, SFR - The Deane Team

My clothes take at minimun 2-cycles to dry. The vent is clean (we checked) and the exterior is not all clogged up either (like in your photo). The vent hose does, however, extend over 25 feet to the rear of the home (in the ceiling) where it then reaches the exteror. Would that cause the longer drying time?

Apr 06, 2008 03:15 AM

Mitchell Captain

AllSpec Professional Property Inspections Inc - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Home inspections in Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach

Most dryer manufactures limit the ducting to 25'. However on your set up you probably have 3 90's which add 5' each that makes it 40'. Check the manufacture limit on venting, but that will cause longer drying times.

Also there is a thermocoupler that may not be working properly check your dryer temperature.

Apr 06, 2008 04:17 AM

David Helm

Helm Home Inspections - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham, Wa. Licensed Home Insp

One other possibility is that you have an "energy efficient" dryer. These dryers rely more on air than on temperature to dry clothes, so they take longer to dry.

Apr 06, 2008 05:16 AM

Apr 06, 2008 05:17 AM

Dave

We got it the fist time, sheesh.

Apr 06, 2008 07:31 AM

Mike (Inspector Mike) Parks

Inspector Mike - Circleville, OH

Inspector Mike

The only problem that I see is not enough combustible air.

LOL

Apr 06, 2008 09:36 AM

Charles Buell

Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA

Seattle Home Inspector

Lengths of allowable dryer vent pipe varies greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. I think as a general rule with 2 90 degree elbows I wouldn't want to see more that 20-25 feet of pipe----and it better be smooth wall and insulated. Any amount of flexible pipe is going to bring this length down even more. It is actually surprizing to see how different the manufactuers are. For example one super-duper GE model (electric) allows 90 feet with no elbows, 60 feet with 1, 45 feet with 2, 35 ft with 3, and 25 feet with 4. Sorry---but no easy answer if you are looking for one:)

Apr 06, 2008 12:00 PM

Gene Allen

Fathom Realty - Cary, NC

Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate

It could also be an older dryer wearing out. We recently changed dryers and the new is so much faster then the old one it isn't even funny.

Apr 06, 2008 12:27 PM

Gary Sloan

Discovery Inspections, LLC - Atlanta, GA

Some very good responses. The point is this...the dryer is one of the most utilized components in a home. Homeowners need to be reminded of both proper installation and routine maintenance to ensure a safe and efficient operation! Good responses everyone.

Apr 06, 2008 12:32 PM

Kevin Corsa

H.I.S. Home Inspections (Summit, Stark Counties) - Canton, OH

H.I.S. Home Inspections, Stark & Summit County, OH Home Inspector

Dryer vents are one of the most commonly improperly installed items in a home. Even new home builders do not generally do a great job of routing and ducting. Generally, anything over 15 feet of length is taxing to any dryer, and may be the limit for some cheaper models. Avoiding bends of any kind is always preferable when routing a dryer vent, because wherever there is a bend, there is also potential for lint and moisture accumulation.

Apr 08, 2008 05:00 AM

Sharon Hampton

Re/Max Around The Mountains - Blue Ridge, GA

Gary: I build speck homes and one thing I always remember is to ask where is the dryer vent? Then I get that blame game of who was supposed to do the dryer vent. I just want the vent I don't care who does it.

May 11, 2008 04:48 AM

My Clothes Take so Long to Dry--But Why?

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